Nitto NT420S review

​What is it?

Many modern day SUV's and crossovers offer performance capabilities that rival sports cars from previous decades. The rapid performance evolution has required tire manufacturers to expand their SUV/crossover tire lineups accordingly.

However, the tire formula for performance SUV's and crossovers hasn't exactly been cracked yet. Options aren't numerous overall, and high quality options are even fewer. Specify all season and there are only a few tires worth considering; the Nitto NT420S is one of them.

In fact, the Nitto NT420S stands out as perhaps the high performance all season tire for SUV's and crossovers.

Nitto NT420S

NT420S strengths and weaknesses?

Nitto certainly knows how to imbue a tire with handling and grip. The Nitto NT01, for example, is capable of readjusting your cervical vertebrae (for better or worse…).

And while the NT420S isn't all about maximum grip, it does offer excellent handling capabilities. The large outer tread blocks (pictured below) result in a significant tire contact patch that keeps it planted and feeling very solid through the corners.

​The positive dry handling characteristics have not come at the expense of wet road performance. The NT420S features central tread channeling that pumps water effectively. According to Nitto's own internal tire ratings, the NT420S actually places a higher emphasis on wet road traction over dry.

​The NT420S will most often be fitted to SUV's, crossovers, and trucks that are used on an everyday basis, and so along with performance, both comfort and treadlife are key.

In the comfort department, the Nitto NT420S is exceptionally quiet and offers a smooth ride as well.

Sometimes it's a zero sum relationship between performance and treadlife, but the NT420S delivers both. User reports of 60,000 miles + on the NT420S are common. Follow the recommended 7,500 mile tire rotation* schedule as prescribed by Nitto, and the NT420S will respond with atypical, long treadlife.

​Many buyers of all season tires will take that classification literally -- that is, they expect capabilities in all seasons, and all weather conditions. Unfortunately, that's not often the case; it's safe to say that the majority of all season tires don't provide adequate winter weather performance.

Not surprisingly, the weakest aspect of the Nitto NT420S is its snow and ice capability. However, it's all about user reference points -- the NT420S does offer superior winter performance as compared to many of the original equipment "all season" tires that it replaces. But nonetheless, it's no standout in the snow. Generally speaking, the NT420S is serviceable in winter, i.e. will get you to work and home in moderate snow conditions if driven with caution, but probably won't impress along the way.

For shoppers in northern climates who regularly experience true winter conditions, it would be prudent to consider a set of snow tires in addition to the NT420S.

As stated, shoppers in the performance all season crossover/SUV tire category won't be overwhelmed with the number of options. Of the quality tires worth considering, the Nitto NT420S is most comparable in quality, performance characteristics, and price to the Yokohama Parada Spec-X.

The Kumho Ecsta STX KL12 also makes the short list, although we don't think it quite matches the wide range of positive characteristics offered by the Nitto NT420S.

We'd suggest the Nitto NT420S really pulls ahead of all other category options when it comes to treadlife, and therefore long-term value. It's perhaps the strongest comparative advantage that can be claimed by any of the three best tires in category.